“8-1-1 is
the gateway to an expanded tele-health service called HealthLinkBC,”
said Abbott. “We’re meeting our throne speech commitment to ensure greater
choice and access for patients, and building on several of our very successful
services, such as BC NurseLine and Dial-A-Dietitian, to create the most
comprehensive non-emergency health information service in Canada.”

The HealthLink BC service includes
a new health system navigation service that is accessible via telephone or the
Internet. The navigation system assists the public and health professionals in
finding and accessing appropriate health resources in, or close, to their home
communities.

“As part of the enhanced phone and
web services, each health authority has designated individuals responsible for
ensuring that HealthLink BC has the most up-to-date information on health
resources for each region of the province,” added Abbott. “For example, our
enhanced services will make it much simpler for a pregnant mother to determine
the closest prenatal program to her home, or for a senior living in a rural
community to locate an influenza immunization clinic.”

A trained
health service representative will answer all 8-1-1 telephone calls, and where
appropriate, calls will be transferred to a registered nurse, pharmacist or
dietitian for further information and advice. The 8-1-1 service can provide
assistance with answers to questions about a variety of health topics, help in
identifying symptoms and advice on when to seek medical treatment.

8-1-1 has translation services
available in over 130 languages and is one of several non-emergency services
operated under the umbrella of HealthLinkBC. Other HealthLink BC services
include BC HealthGuide handbooks, BC HealthFiles, Dial-A-Dietitian, bcbedline
and an interactive website, www.healthlinkbc.ca.

The HealthLink BC website provides information
on over 4,000 health topics, symptoms, and over-the-counter and prescription
drugs and offers tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The site also offers
an integrated search and mapping function to over 2,500 health services to help
British Columbians find health services close to their home communities.

“While the HealthLink BC website provides a
wealth of information on various health topics, including illnesses, it also
empowers people with information on healthy living,” said Healthy Living and
Sport Minister Mary Polak. “Eventually, we’ll work through this website to link
people directly to community resources like recreation centres, bike paths and
walkways so it’s even easier to make healthy choices.”

HealthLinkBC services
are endorsed by the British Columbia Medical Association, the BC College of Family Physicians,
the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia and the College of Pharmacists
of British Columbia.

British Columbians who are hearing
or speech impaired are able to access HealthLinkBC telephone services from a TTY
service or device by dialing 7-1-1.

“The 8-1-1 telephone service and HealthLinkBC website are
excellent resources for patients and health-care providers across B.C.,” said
Dr. Shamin Jetha, president of the BC College of Family
Physicians. “Not only will these services provide
health information and advice to British Columbians and support them in finding
appropriate health resources close to home, but these services will also assist
health professionals in ensuring that their patients receive the very best
care.”

As part of its 8-1-1 service, HealthLinkBC
will soon be able to better support chronic disease patients, homecare and
palliative services and will work with the BC Medical Association to establish
a limited specialist referral service. Pilots of these expanded services will
get underway within the next two years.

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1 backgrounder(s) attached.

Media

contact:

Bernadette
Murphy

Media Relations
Manager

Ministry of Health
Services

250 952-1887 (media
line)

250 213-9590 (cell)

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